Homelessness
Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (14:20): My question is to the Premier. At the 2021 census an estimated 30,660 Victorians were experiencing homelessness. Housing is the foundation from which people can find work, care for their families and rebuild their lives. I congratulate the government on their new plan to tackle rough sleeping, including tenancy support for another 1000 people at risk of homelessness. What steps is the government taking to end rough sleeping in Victoria?
Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:20): I thank the member for Ringwood for his question. One of the first things you need to do to end rough sleeping and homelessness is appoint a Minister for Homelessness. I notice we are the only party in here that has one. Can I also say, though, that you need to have more than words; you need to back it up with deeds. I was with the minister to release a six-point plan, with a $25 million investment, to have a comprehensive approach for the first time in a generation to tackle homelessness. It begins with a name list – actually putting together every single name of someone who is rough sleeping – to look at the services they need, the complexity, what led them to homelessness and how we give them the door and the services behind the door to give them all the support they need. We also know it is a complex issue, and that is why we are employing complex care coordinators and more assertive outreach officers to go out to all those regions and help people. We are also doing youth foyers and making sure that people that are young can continue with education and can get the housing that they need too. We are also –
A member interjected.
Ben CARROLL: I will not take up the interjection, but I will say, as the party that believes in treaty, that we are giving money to Aboriginal-controlled organisations to support their homelessness endeavours too. We actually stand for working people on this side. We believe in giving people a leg up, and we will always support people no matter who they are.
Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (14:22): I thank the Premier for his answer and for the early investment to deal with the scourge of rough sleeping, but I am interested to know: what targets has the government actually set in relation to reducing the prevalence of rough sleeping?